How to encourage creativity in children

In our previous blog posts we have talked a lot about creative activities and how they play an important role throughout life. Majority of people tend to think that creative talents are just something one is born with. Yes, it is definitely encoded in our DNA but there is much more to how all those stars in the world’s creative history came to shine than just a pile of genes. Creativity, like a skill, can and needs to be developed. Brain, as they say, is a muscle and brain of a child is one that’s so much more flexible.

Here are thing you can do to foster creativity in your kids:

 

Give them space & time
Being creative is something that takes up a lot of time this is why most of us, adults tend to be less creative than kids.
Allow your kids time to play imaginative games “unsupervised”, let them explore and learn on their own.
Set up space where they can be creative – a room in the basement for their musical endeavors or in the attic for their experiments with colors.
Space same way as a time is a resource your kids need.

 

Let them know it’s okay to fail
Failing is a very part of being creative. It’s important that children at an early age already understand this so they won’t get discouraged from trying again. Share with them something you too have failed at, this will give them back their courage to go for it again.

 

Spark their interest
Share & discuss different music and art with your kids, tell them about your favourite painting, Β rock band and tell them why they are your favourite. Brainstorm ideas with your kids for the upcoming trip, let their minds wander to new unknown places. Β 

Try to get them interested in new things and give them space to explore on their own.

 

Don’t compare
Creativity is an unique vision, everyone has of her own. It can’t be measured or compared. Β Understand this and make sure your child does too.

 

Let them speak out
Instead of saying “Do it this way because I am telling you to” explain the situation first and let them disagree with you. Β Discuss problems with them and search for a solution together. Encourage them to find more than one way to solve it and when solved encourage again for a different approach. Β 

 

Don’t limit them
Creativity isn’t a taught behaviour. For it to blossom one should have freedom to experience new things in order to get new perspectives, see old in new light. External constraints have negative effect on child’s flexibility of thinking. So next time your kid wants to climb up that tree or paint on her body instead of paper consider letting her go through with it.

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